"It's very true that they were the best team all year, but over the last five or six games, we've been the best team in the league. There's a little thing called the playoffs, and it matters who's playing better at this particular time. And I don't think it's them."

-- Chicago Fire midfielder Diego Gutierrez after his team's 2-2 at D.C. United gave the Fire a 3-2 aggregate win and a place in the MLS semifinals. (Chicago Tribune)